There are few things more demoralizing in this world than watching an overly-ambitious haul of peaches sit in the fruit bowl growing old and bruised. As summer takes its last lap, get familiar with these six simple peach desserts by senior food editor Andy Baraghani—as delicious as they are doable—and we can guarantee that no peach will ever get left behind in your kitchen again.
When buying peaches, Andy asks the sellers at the farmer's market for freestone peaches, versus cling peaches, which are exactly what they sound like. A freestone peach can be cut in half cleanly, as the pit falls right out. Cling means the peach is sort of stuck in there. The taste is the same, he just likes the way the freestone peaches look when presented in a beautiful dessert. Tip #2: Don't get frustrated if you want a peach dessert tonight and your peaches are a little underripe. In that case, make a recipe in which they'll get cooked down, because the sugars will concentrate and be as sweet as if they were ripe. The cobbler recipe below is perfect for that.
The question of the hour: Can I just use nectarines interchangeably in these recipes? Yes, but hold on. Nectarines are slightly smaller than peaches, so for a recipe that calls for three peaches, Andy would use four nectarines. You'll have to use your own judgment, but we have a feeling everything will turn out wonderful. Now let's take a look at those recipes:
Meringue Clouds with Peach Curd
With dreamy clouds of meringue, just a hint of sweetness, and a healthy dose of rum, this is a grown-up dessert if we've ever seen one. And if you—god forbid—find yourself with a little too much leftover peach curd, you can have yourself a better-than-usual breakfast the next morning by drizzling it over a stack of pancakes, or mixing it into your late afternoon yogurt snack.
Peach and Raspberry Cream Pops
Peaches and raspberries may be the heart and soul of this recipe, but milk powder is the secret ingredient that sends it over the top, with all the creamy flavor of a Creamsicle with none of the artificial, store-bought taste.
Peaches with Ginger Syrup and Buttermilk
Peaches and cream gets a sophisticated upgrade with this combination of buttermilk, cream cheese, and ginger-marinated peaches. And in case you're feeling a little too sophisticated, don't forget the crumbled sugar cone, which will make you feel like a kid again.
Tapioca Pearl Pudding with Grilled Peaches and Pistachios
Name a more iconic duo than peaches and pistachios. I'll wait. Oh, grilled peaches and pistachios? Fair enough. This Mediterranean-inspired dessert adds soft pudding and aromatic cardamom to the mix to play off the pistachios' crunchiness and the peaches' sweetness. Sounds to us like a dessert match made in heaven. But wait, there's more—you can honestly make this with ANY nut, so if you're a peanut person, feel free to swap.
Peach Tarte Tatin
Light, flaky crust, meet soft, juicy, caramelized peaches. Bring this make-ahead recipe to your next summer party, and we guarantee it'll be the most popular dish at the dessert buffet. Just make sure your greedy friends don't gobble up the whole thing before you get your slice.
Peach and Berry Cobbler with Cinnamon Cream
Sometimes you can't beat a classic. But you can find the gold standard recipe for said classic, like this simple cobbler, which combines a three-ingredient biscuit with a juicy mix of fruits and a dollop of next-level whipped cream on top. Buttery, tart, creamy, and sweet. Need we say more?